The 10 people who climbed on board the plane at Kahului Airport probably never would have guessed they would climb off in the middle of a highway.

The Cessna Caravan wound up in the northbound lane of the Piilani Highway.

"What was very surreal about it is that it actually landed, it didn't crash, it didn't damage anything, it used Piilani as a runway," said Kihei resident Penny Palmer.

By every indication, the pilot didn't have much choice. The Federal Aviation Administration said the plane lost engine power after taking off for Waimea on the Big Island. Residents said the plane had to make a tight landing.

"He didn't even make it to the four-lane part of Piilani. He actually landed in the residential two-lane part of Piilani High Way," said Palmer.

But the pilot still made a safe landing for the passengers and the plane and it all happened at 7 p.m.

"To be able to land that plane on a two-lane road in the dark, amazing," said Palmer.

Two FAA safety inspectors were on scene Tuesday. The FAA is continuing with its investigation.

Forty years ago, one of the greatest boxing matches in history took place in an unlikely setting: the capital of the Philippines. Muhammad Ali's epic win over great rival Joe Frazier in 1975 became known as the "Thrilla in Manila."